Christmas is one of the most holy days of the Church year, because it is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many believers participate in the celebration of Mass at Christmas and parishes welcome them, preparing for their arrival with additional Mass times. In some parishes, Mass is celebrated in additional spaces to accommodate more people. For example, at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, there will be three Christmas Eve Masses celebrated at 4pm:  in the Main Church, Parish Hall, and School Auditorium as well as a Mass at 4:15pm celebrated outdoors at Philippe Park.

Because of the large crowds, it might be difficult to accommodate requests for news cameras to obtain video inside churches. The Diocese of St. Petersburg will provide b-roll video to TV stations for their use of the Christmas Eve Mass that will be celebrated by Bishop Gregory Parkes at 10 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg.

An email will be sent to your assignment desk on December 25 at approximately 1:30 am. The email will contain a link to Dropbox so that you can download the b-roll. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa L. Peterson, 407-432-1974 or tlp@dosp.org.

The Mass will also be live streamed and can be viewed here: www.dosp.org/bishop-parkes-to-celebrate-christmas-vigil-mass-at-the-cathedral/.

About the Diocese of St. Petersburg

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is comprised of over 470,000 Catholics and includes 74 parishes, 7 missions, 48 schools and early childhood centers, a university, and a variety of social service, health care, housing and pastoral ministries located within the five counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus. Mass is celebrated in 11 languages and we are led by our fifth bishop, Most Reverend Gregory Parkes who was installed on January 4, 2017.